A Guide to the Most Popular Types of Pet Turtles - Species, Care, Lifespan

A Complete Guide to the Most Popular Types of Pet Turtles

Turtles can make for unique and engaging pets. With proper care and handling, many turtle species thrive in home aquariums and tanks. But with over 300 turtle species worldwide, how do you choose the right one?

In this guide, we'll overview the most popular types of pet turtles. We'll cover their key traits, care requirements, lifespan, costs, and more to help you select the best turtle companion.

Benefits of Keeping Pet Turtles

Some key advantages of choosing a turtle include:

• Long lifespans of 20 to 80+ years
• Relatively compact housing needs
• Lower maintenance than dogs or cats
• Engaging behaviors and personalities
• Opportunity to learn about husbandry and ecosystems
• Lower risk of causing allergies

For disciplined, patient owners, turtles can make genuinely rewarding pets.

Important Considerations Before Getting a Turtle

However, there are also some key considerations, including:

• Turtles generally don't like being handled often
• They require specialized lighting, heating, habitat setups
• Certain species get very large, requiring massive enclosures
• They can live for several decades - long term commitment
• Salmonella risk requires good hygiene practices

Overall, turtles are better pets for experienced, responsible owners. Doing thorough research beforehand is essential.

Most Popular Pet Turtle Species

Let's overview some top pet turtle species and their unique traits:

1. Red-Eared Slider

Red-eared sliders (RES) are arguably the most common pet turtle. Native to the southeastern U.S., these semiaquatic turtles get their name from the distinctive red stripes around their ears.

Adult Size: 5 to 12 inches

Lifespan: 20 to 40 years

Temperament: Can be skittish but become quite personable with regular handling

Diet: Omnivores who eat commercial turtle pellets, vegetables, insects, worms, small fish

Housing: 75+ gallon tank or enclosure with basking area. Good swimmers who need strong filtration.

Red-eared sliders are hardy, affordable, and make great starter turtles. But they do require significant habitat space as adults.

2. Painted Turtle

Native across central and eastern North America, painted turtles get their name from the red, yellow, and black markings on their shells and skin. They are semi-aquatic, spending lots of time basking.

Adult Size: 5 to 10 inches

Lifespan: 20 to 40 years

Temperament: Typically docile; easier to handle than red-eared sliders

Diet: Omnivores who eat commercial turtle food, plants, insects, mollusks

Housing: 50+ gallon aquarium or tank with rich aquatic habitat and ample dry basking area

Painted turtles stay smaller than red-eared sliders and are a bit less skittish, making them one of the best pet turtle choices.

3. Russian Tortoise

As their name implies, Russian tortoises originate from regions like Kazakhstan and Southeastern Europe. These terrestrial turtles thrive in outdoor enclosures.

Adult Size: 8 to 10 inches

Lifespan: 50 to 80 years

Temperament: Docile and easily handled; will walk up to owner

Diet: Vegetarians who eat leafy greens, flowers, some fruits

Housing: Large outdoor enclosure or indoor habitat with deep substrate for burrowing

Russian tortoises are very personable pets. But they require lots of space and specific care to mimic their natural environment.

4. Box Turtle

The ornate box turtle is a popular terrestrial species native to the prairies and woodlands of the central and eastern U.S. They get their name from their ability to completely enclose themselves within their shell.

Adult Size: 4 to 6 inches

Lifespan: 30 to 40 years

Temperament: Shy but become interactive once accustomed to owners

Diet: Omnivores who eat vegetables, fruits, worms, slugs, flowers

Housing: Roomy indoor or outdoor enclosure with hiding spots and burrowing substrate

These little turtles have tons of charm. But their specialized care makes them better suited for experienced owners.

5. Western Painted Turtle

Closely related to eastern painted turtles, western painted turtles originate from the Pacific Northwest regions of the U.S. and Canada.

Adult Size: 5 to 7 inches

Lifespan: 20 to 30 years

Temperament: Typically docile; will walk up to food source

Diet: Omnivores who eat commercial turtle diets, plants, feeder fish, fruits, veggies

Housing: 50+ gallon aquarium or turtle tub with basking area

They stay a bit smaller than their eastern cousins but require a similar habitat setup. Their bright markings make them fun to observe.

6. Yellow-Bellied Slider

Native to the southeastern U.S., yellow-bellied sliders are closely related to red-eared sliders. Their name comes from the yellow blotches on their carapace and plastron (top and bottom shell).

Adult Size: 5 to 10 inches

Lifespan: 30 to 40 years

Temperament: Shy and reclusive; not suited for handling

Diet: Omnivores who eat commercial turtle diets, plants, insects, fish

Housing: 75+ gallon aquarium or turtle pond with basking area

They need lots of swimming space and are better admired than handled. But their bright yellow markings make them fun display pets.

7. Spotted Turtle

Native to the eastern U.S., spotted turtles have orange spots covering their head, legs, and carapace. They prefer marshy habitats versus open water.

Adult Size: 3.5 to 5 inches

Lifespan: 50+ years

Temperament: Extremely shy and reclusive; not a handling species

Diet: Omnivores who eat plants, small fish and invertebrates

Housing: Large paludarium type setup with mainly shallow water and lots of hiding spots

Spotted turtles are challenging to keep healthy in captivity and don't tolerate handling. They are better suited as display pets for experienced keepers.

8. Mississippi Map Turtle

The Mississippi map turtle is an attractive smaller species native to the Gulf Coast region. Their carapace has a distinctive "map-like" pattern.

Adult Size: 4 to 6 inches

Lifespan: 15 to 20+ years

Temperament: Shy but will become more active with regular feeding

Diet: Carnivores who eat feeder fish, shrimp, worms, insect larvae

Housing: 30+ gallon aquarium with robust filtration and driftwood for climbing

While small, map turtles need advanced care to replicate their natural habitat. Their unique markings make them stand out.

9. Musk Turtle

The common musk turtle is a smaller aquatic species native to the eastern U.S. They emit a musky odor as a defense mechanism.

Adult Size: 3 to 5 inches

Lifespan: 15 to 30 years

Temperament: Shy but become active when feeding; cannot be handled

Diet: Omnivores who eat commercial turtle diets, fish, bloodworms, vegetation

Housing: 30+ gallon aquarium with excellent filtration and rocks/logs for hiding

While small, musk turtles need advanced care to meet their habitat needs. Their unique look makes up for their reclusive nature.

10. Diamondback Terrapin

Diamondback terrapins are relatives of box turtles native to brackish coastal habitats in the eastern and southern U.S. They have distinctive diamond patterns on their carapace.

Adult Size: 4 to 9 inches

Lifespan: 30+ years

Temperament: Shy and skittish; better as display pets

Diet: Omnivores who eat snails, worms, commercial turtle food

Housing: 30+ gallon tank with brackish water gradient and dry basking area

Terrapins are beautiful but need a very specialized habitat to stay healthy. They should be hands-off pets.

Key Considerations for Getting a Pet Turtle

Before selecting and acquiring a pet turtle, make sure you can provide the following:

Proper Enclosure

Turtles require sizable aquariums or tanks to thrive, especially aquatic species. Make sure you can accommodate the appropriate habitat size based on their adult length.

Heat and UVB Lighting

Heating and full spectrum lighting is vital to a turtle's health. Proper temperatures and UVB exposure ensures they can metabolize calcium and vitamins.

Balanced Diet

Different turtle species require diverse diets including commercial turtle food, vegetables, insects, worms, and feeder fish. Can you accommodate their dietary needs?

Water Maintenance

Aquatic turtles produce a lot of waste, requiring strong filtration and frequent partial water changes to stay healthy.

Annual Vet Checks

Like any pet, turtles need annual wellness exams plus care for any illnesses or injuries. Exotic pet vets are best.

Long Term Commitment

Turtles frequently outlive their owners. Are you ready to provide complete lifetime care for your turtle for decades to come?

Proper Handling

Salmonella risk means good hygiene is a must. Ensure children wash hands properly after contact and never place turtles near food areas.

Selecting Your Turtle Companion

When prepared for the unique responsibilities of turtle ownership, they can make interesting long-term pets. Be sure to select a species suited to your experience level and housing capabilities.

While most species prefer being admired over being handled, their behaviors, feeding time rituals, and long lifespans make for captivating pets. They can also forge surprising bonds with owners when given the proper habitat and care.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.